Legislative Assembly briefs
Kivalliq funding goes to Kitikmeot
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, June 5, 2017
NUNAVUT
Rankin Inlet South MLA Alexander Sammurtok wasn't pleased that surplus funds had been transferred from the Kivalliq Visitor Centre project to the Grays Bay Road and Port Project in the Kitikmeot region.
After saying she was pleased the visitor centre project had a minor surplus, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation Monica Ell-Kanayuk said that transfer has been approved by her colleagues.
"As my colleagues will be well aware, I have lobbied at length for the establishment of an elders' care facility in Rankin Inlet," Sammurtok said, "either by leasing a facility such as Nanuq Lodge or renovating another facility. Can the minister confirm whether any consideration was given to transfer surplus funds from the Kivalliq Visitor Centre project to a project that will support the establishment of an elders' centre in Rankin Inlet?"
Ell-Kanayuk explained surplus funding could only be transferred to projects with similar parameters set out by the federal government.
"It is very disappointing that our government will not adjust its capital plan to address needs which have been identified in the Kivalliq region as well as in the Kitikmeot and Baffin regions," Sammurtok said.
Are there plans for GN buildings and GN staff?
Community and Government Services (CGS) Minister Joe Savikataaq said so far there are no plans for the Ukiivik Residence in Iqaluit, also known as the Old Res, which was damaged by fire in 2015.
Tununiq MLA Joe Enook was wondering about the status of that building, as well as the adjacent federal building, which are now both CGS assets.
"Right now we are using the federal building and we are looking at maybe changing its purpose to more office space, but that is just being looked at," said Savikataaq. "The Old Res, we're looking at options there whether we should demolish it, fix it up, or any other projects that could be used on it."
Enook went through figures.
"It is my understanding that it would cost approximately $32 million to renovate and modernize the federal building warehouse and that it would cost approximately $42 million to renovate and modernize the old Nunavut Arctic College residence. Is my understanding correct?" he asked.
Savikataaq said he didn't know where Enook got his numbers.
"I can't confirm that they are correct or accurate because we have not decided what we are doing with either one of the buildings yet. Until you decide what you're going to do with a building and what the purpose of it will be, then you can't get a very accurate figure. No, the figures are not accurate as of right now," he said.
Enook was surprised.
"These are your figures, the government's figures. Thank you for telling me that you have inaccurate figures."
He pressed on:
"Can you confirm if the government is actively considering consolidating its headquarters workforce into a smaller number of buildings than at present, and allowing a number of its existing office space leases to expire?"
Savikataaq agreed the government is looking at options for office space, but without a plan, there can be no numbers, he said.
"It would be more efficient to get each department in their own building, but as of right now we don't have an overall plan and that's partially to do with budgetary restraints."
How is federal funding for official languages spent?
South Baffin MLA David Joanasie brought to his colleagues' attention that the federal government had announced funding to support and preserve Inuit languages in the territory to the tune of $15.8 million May 26.
At the same time, $14.25 million was provided for the French language.
"In that announcement the federal government indicated that this funding would cover the period from 2016 to 2020, but there were no further details about how the funding will be provided. Can the minister provide us with a breakdown of how that $15.8 million will be allocated," asked Joanasie.
Minister for Languages George Kuksuk said the Uqausivut Plan had been set up, adding, "We will be considering with other departments as to how the money will be allocated."
Pointing out that these funds must be used to "to recognize and advance the equal status and rights of all of Nunavut's official languages, and also to develop and revitalize the Inuit language," Joanasie then asked how such funds had been used in the 2016-2017 fiscal year.
Kuksuk responded that he would have to get the numbers from his staff.
